VILLAS

Since its origins in theRoman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably.

After the fall of theRoman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified inLate Antiquity, sometimes transferred to the Church for reuse as amonastery.

Then they gradually re-evolved through the Middle Ages, into elegant upper-class country homes. In modern parlance 'villa' can refer to various types and sizes of residences, ranging from thesuburban"semi-detached" double villa to residences in thewildland urban interface.